BY EARL WRIGHT

JEDDAH — Defending men’s and women’s champions Jeddah United Hitters-UGAFCO and International Medical Center fell in upsets that rocked the fourth week of hostilities in the PAL-Pepsi Kalayaan Volleyball Cup 4th Conference on Friday at the Trio Ranch & Country Club on the outskirts of Jeddah.

First to get the upset ax was the men’s title holders against Jeddah Blue Spikers who hammered out a 25-20, 22-25, 15-13 victory in their thrilling contest in the first game of a heavy five-game schedule.

JUH-UGAFCO struggled with a new setup in their lineup following the late arrival of its coach. And when he did arrive on the court damage had been done.

The result put JUH-UGAFCO at 3-1 in the team standings while Jeddah Blue, inspired by its lucky charm, NCB’s HR head, is at 2-1 with a game in hand. In all likelihood, Jeddah Blue will take the No. 1 spot for the semifinals with only the lowly Saudi German Hospital as its final opponent in the five-team men’s field.

The IMC women were the team on the double for the day, winning their first game against SGH in three sets 25-12, 23-25, 15-5 only to get undone without key player Evangeline Doloso and lose a tough match against Adam’s Angels 25-22, 25-20.

The defeat put IMC tied at the top of the team standings at 3-1 with Virgin Tomodachi-KFAFH, a 25-19, 27-25 winner over Makkah Terminators, on 2-1.

These two leading sides will be up against the same opponent, KFAFH, during the final day of eliminations, with the top seeding for the crossover semis at stake.

In the other men’s match in the nightcap, Virgin Tomodachi defeated SGH 25-23, 25-15.

The week’s Best Player awardees were: Billy Baruga (Jeddah Blue Spikers) men’s, Genelyn Vallejera (IMC) women’s, Alma Bustamante (Virgin-KFAFH) women’s), Holy Ann Gonzales (Adam's Angels) women’s, Abdulrahman Mohamad (Virgin-Tomodachi) men’s.

Each Best Player awardee will receive certificate of appreciation from the organizers and gift items from Philippine Airlines.

Dreamstar Productions for Sports & Events under the leadership of Al Moran Bacleon runs the tournament with support from sponsors PAL, SMDC, OSN, Nascol Supplies Co., Pepsi Cola, NWorld, Sky Freight Forwarders, Indomie, Giordano and Baytoti.

The Kalayaan Volleyball Cup committee would like to thank Trio Ranch & Country Club Manager Antonio Peruzzi and Trio Ranch management for their generous support to the tournament.

In charge of the organizing committee is Event Planner/Tournament Organizer Maki de Guzman. Helping de Guzman in the committee are: Finance Office, Joey Villanueva, Admin & Technical teams: Daisy Ringpis, Janette Calica, Janet Cupcupin, Cherry Reyes, Janet Magjacot, Wilson Porlaje, Jerry P. Lagrimas (technical adviser) Edgar Zantua (logistic officer)/ Harold Amper (tournament commissioner) and Alex Sales (independent adviser).